SEREMBAN: A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to death by hanging for killing his nine-year-old daughter.

The High Court here on Tuesday (Aug 22) found ex-soldier Mohammad Abdullah Mohamed guilty of the offence committed five years ago.

Judge Datin Rohani Ismail meted out the sentence on after his defence failed to raise reasonable doubt against the prosecution's case.

He was accused of killing Nur Aina Nabihah at a house on Jalan Vista Jaya 5, Taman Vista Jaya, Lukut, Port Dickson between 8.30pm and 11.30pm on Jan 31, 2018, and charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death sentence on conviction.

Judge Rohani said that the entire defence rested on mere denial.

"The court, therefore, sentences you (Mohammad Abdullah) to death by hanging on a date to be decided later," she said.

The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Sharifah Maleeha Syed Hussin and Ala'uddin Baharom, while the accused was represented by a team of two lawyers.

During the prosecution's case, Sharifah Maleeha had submitted that Mohammad Abdullah's cruel actions caused his daughter to sustain severe injuries on her abdomen and that he even kicked and stepped on her, causing her death.

"There were 32 visible bruises and numerous internal injuries on the victim, especially on her head, neck and abdomen. The autopsy also showed internal haemorrhaging as a result of trauma to the liver, pancreas and kidneys.

"This little girl was mercilessly stepped on and kicked by her own father... who is supposed to protect, care for and love his children," she said.

During mitigation, the accused's lawyers requested a minimum sentence for their client, effective from the date of his arrest.

Nineteen prosecution witnesses testified throughout the trial, which started in 2018. – Bernama